Scots want to see more of their family and friends

People living in Scotland are among the most sociable in the UK, according to recent a poll.

A survey of 2000 people in the UK carried out on behalf of National Express Coach, asked how often respondents visited friends and family living in another city or region, whether they wanted to visit them less or more and what was stopping them making the journey.

The results issued to coincide with World Friendship Day, which takes place on Monday, 30 July, found that 65.4% respondents from Scotland said they wanted to see more of their friends and family – the highest percentage of any place in the UK.

This was followed by those living in the East Midlands (65.3%) and people living in the North East of England (63%).

But despite the strong desire to see their loved ones, 41% of respondents from Scotland said they only saw friends and family one-two times a year compared to 32.6% from the East Midlands and 38.4% from the North East.

The survey also showed that when people want to see friends and family less, Scotland was bottom of the list with 4.6%, followed by Yorkshire on 7.9% and Wales on 9%. The West Midlands have apparently had enough of their relatives, with 33.1% wanting to see family less often!

National Express UK Coach managing director Chris Hardy said: ‘Our survey shows most people (55%) in the UK are really keen to see more of their friends and family but the majority only get to see their loved ones once or twice a year with the constraints of distance and cost putting them off from doing so.

‘Our coach network extends to more than 900 UK destinations and with great value fares and our free onboard entertainment system VUER to keep people occupied – neither cost nor distance should put people off travelling with us.

‘On World Friendship Day we are encouraging people to reconnect to their friends and family and enjoy all the benefits of stronger friendships and familial bonds.’

National Express offers travel between the UK’s major cities from as little as £5 one-way (online only, and subject to £1 booking fee), click HERE for more details.